The surveillance system malfunctioned, rendering the screens blank. This meant their leads had hit a dead end, and everyone’s faces fell, especially Xing Zheng’s, which grew particularly grim. After a minute of silence, he finally spoke, "Starting from Jinrong South Street, check all the roads and all the surveillance feeds."
At this point, Liang Yufeng also stepped forward and told Xing Zheng, "My people have already been dispatched to search."
Shen Su and Gu Song had also deployed their personnel. Their extensive networks made finding someone in Nanjiang City not a difficult task, but searching required time. Xing Zheng couldn't accept this delay, and his mood became agitated.
Lan Lan was no better off than Xing Zheng. Her temperament was naturally a bit more impatient than Feng Feng's. With Lin Mei's whereabouts unknown, she was extremely anxious. She turned to Xing Zheng and asked, "Have you upset her recently?"
"No," Xing Zheng replied patiently despite his frustration, "We haven't argued."
Not only had they not argued, but their recent relationship had been unusually good, like any ordinary couple. They would have voice or video calls almost every day after work. Who knew that fate would strike such a fatal blow at such a moment?
"Have you offended anyone recently in your investments?" Feng Feng also inquired. She had been contemplating for a while. Given Lin Mei's personality, the chances of her offending someone at work were too low. Xing Zheng, on the other hand, was a prominent figure. If someone knew he cared about Lin Mei, they might think of taking Lin Mei to coerce him.
"No," Xing Zheng immediately understood Feng Feng's implication. "I've already had people investigate that. If it truly was someone close to me who targeted Lin Mei, I would show no mercy."
With no clues, Lan Lan and Feng Feng stood together, their expressions exceptionally solemn. They pondered, but couldn't find any way forward.
After a long while, a thought suddenly flashed through Lan Lan's mind, and she immediately turned to question Xing Zheng, "That woman who used to have a crush on you, do you have her contact information?"
It wasn't that Lan Lan was overthinking. Qiao Wei had liked Xing Zheng for many years. She had even divorced her husband because she couldn't let go of her obsession. If she still harbored feelings, kidnapping Lin Mei wouldn't be impossible. Lan Lan's question provided a new line of thought for everyone. Feng Feng said to Xing Zheng, "You should ask her."
After her daughter fell asleep, Qiao Wei carried her back to the bedroom. When she came out, she saw Xiao Shu still sitting in front of the sofa. Her brows were slightly furrowed. "Tian Tian is staying with me tonight, you can go back first."
Xiao Shu remained unmoved, his peach blossom eyes looking at her with a half-smile. "Are you asking me to leave?"
Before Qiao Wei could answer, her phone rang. The name on the screen caused her bright, lively eyes to freeze for a moment, she almost couldn't believe her eyes!
Xing Zheng... had called her proactively?
Without thinking, Qiao Wei answered the call, feigning calmness. "Xing Zheng, are you looking for me?"
"Did you do something to her?" Xing Zheng launched into this nonsensical question. Even someone as intelligent as Qiao Wei didn't understand his meaning at first. "What did I do? And who is she?"
"Lin Mei is missing," Xing Zheng asked her, "Is it you?"
"Why would you suspect me?" Qiao Wei didn't know whether to cry or laugh. She hadn't seen Lin Mei in years. They were high school classmates, and only had each other on WeChat. After knowing about her relationship with Xing Zheng, Qiao Wei had never proactively spoken to her. Now that Lin Mei was missing, why would she be blamed?
"Where is Xiao Shu?" Xing Zheng asked. "Can you guarantee he didn't do anything?"
At his question, Qiao Wei looked at Xiao Shu. "He's been with me all day. We took our daughter to the amusement park, and he's still at my apartment now."
If Xiao Shu hadn't been with her, Qiao Wei might have suspected him. But they had been together the entire day; where would Xiao Shu have gotten the energy to deal with Lin Mei?
The response Qiao Wei received was the busy tone of Xing Zheng hanging up. Xiao Shu's gaze deepened as he looked at Qiao Wei. "You're still in contact with Xing Zheng."
"His girlfriend is missing," Qiao Wei answered evasively. She stared at Xiao Shu, as if trying to discern something from his face. "Do you know about this?"
Xiao Shu was quite frank. "Didn't you just tell me? Now I know."
Qiao Wei remained silent, staring at him. Xiao Shu chuckled. "You suspect me?"
Qiao Wei: "Does it have nothing to do with you?"
"I was under your watch all day today, what could I have done? I promised you I wouldn't make a move on her. Besides, my company was already dealt a blow by Xing Zheng. Do you think I have a short memory?"
Xiao Shu's reasoning was quite convincing, and Qiao Wei was persuaded, no longer suspecting him. Seeing the doubt fade from her eyes, Xiao Shu smiled faintly.
It truly wasn't him. With Zhao Rong making a move, why would he need to do it himself? Xing Zheng's attention had already been diverted. He probably never imagined that person would be Zhao Rong. This was the consequence of arrogance.
Zhao Rong was an outright lunatic. He dreamed of destroying the Xing family. Now that Lin Mei had fallen into his hands, she was likely to be toyed with to death. Soon, Xing Zheng would also taste the bitterness of losing his beloved.
Ming Zhou and Lu Qi were also involved in Lin Mei's disappearance. All possible connections were utilized, but Lin Mei's whereabouts were still unknown.
Xing Sha also received a call from Xing Zheng. Upon hearing of Lin Mei's disappearance, he prepared to help search for her. Xie Qin Jia said, "Then you go. Be careful with everything."
"Take good care of yourself at home. I'm leaving."
Xing Sha instructed, and hurried away, leaving Xie Qin Jia sitting alone on the sofa. She was also worried about Lin Mei. She had never met such a compatible junior before. If Xing Yan were still alive...
Xie Qin Jia suddenly remembered that she hadn't visited Xing Yan's grave in a long time. The family driver had gone with Xing Sha, so Xie Qin Jia drove to the cemetery alone. She concentrated on her driving, not noticing that she was being followed.
Xie Qin Jia carried a bouquet of flowers and arrived at Xing Yan's tombstone. She bent down, placed the flowers, and then took out wet wipes to carefully clean the tombstone.
On the tombstone was Xing Yan's serene and gentle face. His life had forever stopped at twenty-one. Xie Qin Jia gazed at the photo, her eyes welling up with tears, and began to sob softly.
No matter how much time passed, whenever she came to the cemetery, she would inevitably shed tears.
After crying for nearly an hour, Xie Qin Jia's eyes were swollen. The wind blew, stinging her eyes, and she stood up, saying to the photo, "Wait a few more years for Mom to be with your dad and your grandparents, and we can be reunited."
The wind grew stronger, and Xie Qin Jia walked against it, her hair disheveled by the gale, making it difficult to walk. As she struggled, Xie Qin Jia saw a familiar face.
The other person saw her and was also very surprised. "What are you doing here too?" m..oΓg
It was the man she had met when she was hospitalized. They were of similar age, and she remembered his son had also passed away. They often chatted during those days, and she hadn't expected to run into him here.
"Visiting my son," the man said, walking up to her. "You too?"
Xie Qin Jia nodded. The two looked at each other in silence. After a moment of quiet, the man suddenly asked, "Would you like to have a cup of tea together?"